Patel’s birth anniversary celebrated at Shanghai University

Beijing: Indian Consulate in Shanghaicelebrated the 141st Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel at Shanghai University, highlighting the “pivotal role” played by him in India’s independence movement.

Floral tributes were paid to Patel at the event orgainsed yesterday by the Indian Consulate in Shanghai and Consul General Prakash Gupta addressed the gathering highlighting the pivotal role played by him in the independence movement.

Bio-profile of Patel, translated in Chines, was distributed amongst all the Chinese students who attended the event, a statement of the consulate said today.

A cultural dance performance titled ‘Rhythm of Rajasthan’ was also organised at the Shanghai University on the occasion.

It featured a troupe of Rajasthani Kalbelia dancers, who had been sponsored by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Students of Shanghai University have been requested to contribute their views on Patel using social media platforms and in the form of essays which would be subsequently posted on the Consulate General of India Shanghai’s website, it said.

The Indian government had last year declared Sardar Patel Jayanti Day on October 31 as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ (national unification day), with an accompanying ‘Ekta Diwas’ pledge.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is being marked across India and among the Indian diaspora population around the world. PTI